Rotation and feed controlling valve for rock drills



T. A. SCHMIDT 2,602,426 ROTATION AND FEED CONTROLLING VALVE FOR ROCKDRILLS July 8, 1952 Filed Sept. 10, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET l INVENTOR.THEODORE A SCHMIDT I ATTORNEY T. A. SCHMIDT July 8, 1952 ROTATION ANDFEED CONTROLLING VALVE FOR ROCK \DRILLS 2 Sl-IEETS-S!-IEET 2 Filed Sept.10, 1949 7. a m 5 l 7 w 8 3 9 4 7 x 2 5 8 7 5 .7 8 I 6 7 8 7 6 8 3 7 4 5w 3 5 3 a w M Q 9 5 1O 2 6 W 0 4 6 7 3 4 6 7 4 4 7 6 m M T mm m C s A ER 0 D 0 E H T ATTORNEY Patented July 8, 1952 g g 2,602,426 ROTATION ANDFEED CONTROLLING VALVE FOR ROCK DRILLS Theodore A. Schmidt, Berea, Ohio,assignor to Le Roi Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of WisconsinApplication September 10, 1949,,Serial No. 115,043 l This inventionrelates broadly to fluid actuated rock drills of the stoper type, butmore particularly to an improved valve structure for controlling thefeed and rotation mechanisms of such drills. 1 v

one object of this invention is to provide a self-rotating stoper withimproved controls which will facilitate and render safer the operationof the tool.

Another object of this invention is to provide a self-rotating stoperwith improved valves for controlling the feed and rotation mechanisms ofthe tool, the valves being arranged and disposed in a manner renderingthem readily operable by the operator while normally holding the stoperto the work.

Other objects more or less ancillary to the foregoing and the manner inwhich all the various objects are realized will appear in the followingdescription which, considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, sets tion.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 isa longitudinal sectional view of a stoper drill embodying theinvention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 in Figure1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 in Figure 1. V

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 44 in Figure 2.

The tool embodying the invention is a fluid actuated rock drill of thestoper type which comprises a drilling motor, a feed mechanism and anauxiliary handle generally designated by A, B and C respectively.

The drilling motor is of the reciprocatory piston type well known inthis art, and can brieflyv be described to include a cylinder ||l havinga piston reciprocable therein. The piston II includes a stem. I2 capableof delivering impacts on the shank l3 of a cutting tool or drill steelM, which shank is slidably 'mounted' within a chuck |5. This chuck isrotatably mounted within the front 01' upper end of a chuck housing l6,which also accommodates a chuck bushing l1 geared to the chuck l5 fortransmittingrotation thereto. Internally, the chuck bushing I 1 isformed with splines which mesh with similar fecting the reciprocation ofthe piston ZClaims. (01.1214) nately to the ends of thecyunder m for. er

M0- tive fluid is admitted to the valve I8 from a throttle valve 20through ports and passages, not shown. The throttle valve 20 isrotatably mounted within a back head 2|, and is provided with a centralport 22 having motive fluid supplied thereto'in a mannerwell known intools ofthistype. f Y

Extending through. the valve 18,- there is a stem 23 formed with riflesplines slidably interlocked with similar splines formed in the'pistonThe stem 23 is also provided with a head 24 carrying pawls 25 whichengage'theinternal teeth 26 of a ratchet -ring,2'|. This ring, p'aWlsand rifle stem constitute the rotation mechanism through. which rotationis transmitted to the drill steel M in a manner well known in this art.

Under certain conditions of operation, it be-v comes desirable torelease the rotation mechanism, that is, prevent rotation from beingtransmitted to the drill steel. .To that :end ,.there; is. incorporatedin thisstructure the rotation control mechanism described in detail inthe United States Patent No. 2,129,566.. Since-this-mechanism is not apart of tliepresent invention, no further description: of it isthoughtnecessary other than pointing 'outthat itincludes aslidable clutchelement 23 which, when positioned. as shown in Figure 1, enables normaloperation of the rotation mechanism, and when movedout: of thatposition, enables operation of the stoper drill without rotation of thedrill steel l4.

The clutch element 28is mounted on a bushing 29 in a manner formingtherewith an actuating chamber 30 from whichlea'ds a, relatively smallport 3|. Opening into the port 3|, there is a similarly small port 32which is capable of communication withlthe throttle valve main port 22through a radial. port 33. Opening into the port 3| vis-a-vis the port32,'t here is a vent or exhaust port 34 which is somewhat larger thanthe port 3|. Theexhaust port 34 leads into the tapered bore 35 of a boss36 extending transversely of the cylinder housing ID, the purpose ofwhich will be explained later, g I

The feed mechanism'generally designated by B, includes a feed tube3T'extending in parallel with the drilling motorA and being rigidlysecured to the ends of the latter through lugs 38 and 39 extendinglaterally from the motor. The upper end of the feed tube 31 is closed bya 'fluid'tight plug 40, while its lower end is provided with a spacerbearing 4| through which slides a tube or piston rod 42. The lower endof this piston rod is preferably pointed as at 43 for posiinder 31during outward movement of thepiston rod, which movement is effected bymotive fluid admitted on the piston head 44 through the plug 40. To thatend, the plug 4!] is formed with an annular groove 48 from which leadsaradial port 49 and central bore 50.

boss adapted to receive the upper end; of a.

small tube 52, which tube extends from the lug 38, alongside the tube 31and through the lug 89.

The throttle valve 20 is provided with another radial port 53 capable ofcommunication with a port 54 which opens into the lower end of the tube52 for supplying motive fluid to thefeed piston 44. th ou t ube. 52.,veld d essfi annular groove; 48, port 49 and central bore 58."

Leading from the port 54, there is a vent or exhaust port 55 which opensalso into the tapered bore 35 or the boss 36, but is spaced therein fromthe exhaust port 34 as clearly shownin Figure 2. I

Referring now more particularly to the invention. clearly shown inFigure 2, the auxiliary handle C includes, a stem 55 formed with atapered shank .51 closely fitted into the tapered bore 35 of the boss36, and having a threaded end 58 extending therefroxnto receive aretaining nut 59 which engages the end wall of the boss 38. For abouthalf of its length, the nut 59 extends beyond the threaded end 58 whereity is internally machined to produce a reduced portion 68 andtaperedseat 6| within which is fitted the corresponding end62 of a stem63, ich is e y r i se r d. t t e cy de III in transversal relationtherewith. The; stem 3 i x ernall fin shed to. re e e a slee e valve 64o ablymoun ed hereon in fl i i ht lation therewith. The angle ofrotation of the le 64 s l mited t t anc l e w en the ends. oi a ess. h cn s a e s ea l i h a in r sto fi jc rried hes m 63 a learl s io nin eurh' sle v 64 is o mal ma n aine n the o ition h w n Figure l. b t rs on singhenort 34 hi h en n o he. a re bor 515inhstant communication with anannular groove 68 ormed on he stem From t e r e-H8. uid ma f hro h rad aport 3 an eitud nal r which xtc int he. s m 63 where it normally endsinto the sleeve 64 rou ara a port. H. long tudinal y pac d r m he d a ol, t is a otherradial' port 12 which opens into the open endl 3 of thestem 63,- The two radial ports 'HandI'IZ may be united by a longitudinalgroove" provided in the sleeve valve 6 4.v

' Thestemor handle 56. protrudes from thsbes 3,5 where it: is accessibleby theoperator and is provided with a relatively large flat bottomybo-re'15 from; whichleads a smaller-central bore or port- 16 which is inconstantcommunicationwith the port. 55 through radial ports 11 and-anannular groove i=8. Seated on the bottom of the bore 15., there is avalve block!!! having a stem 80, and a central bore 8 l, which bore isin constant com-' munication with the exterior of the stem- 56 throughradial ports '82; annular groove 83 and vent 84. Slidable within thebore 8|," there is a Adjacent the annular grove 48, there is welded onthe tube 3l ay 4 valve 85 capable of fluid tight engagement with theinner end of the bore for normally closing the bore from the bore 8|.The valve is normally held in closed position by a compression spring 86located in the bore 16. The valve block 19 is held in position by agland nut 86 screwed into the bore 1-5. and having a push button 8!slidable. therein and on the stem 80 for actuating the valve 85. Thepush button is normally main- ;tained in its extended or valve closedposition by a compression spring 88.

In practice, the drilling apparatus may be held in drilling' position bythe operator grasping the auxiliary handle C- which includes the stem56,

nut 59 and 64,-or"-a;handle 88 secured to the front housing 16 of" thedrilling motor and located ab ve he a xi r ha effecting thereciprocationobthe piston it and delivering impacts on the shank 13: of the drillsteel I4; When the throttle valve 25, sleeve valve 64 and poppet valve85 are positionedas shown in Figures l and 2, the clutch element 2810fthe rotation mechanism is maintained in the position shown in Figure 1by motive-fluid admitted into the actuating chamber 38 through theportsti, 32 and 33. From the throttle valve p t 33mg)- tive fluid isalso free toyflow into the port 34 and auxiliary handle ports l0 and Hthrough groove 58 and port 69, but since the radial port H is closed bythe sleeve valve 64, themotivefluid will simply remain in the auxiliaryhandle without affecting the position of the clutch member 28. With theclutch element-28V positionedas-shown in Figure =1; the rotationmechanism; is made to operate normallycfor transmitting rotation to thedrill steel 14. "When it is desired to release or stop the rotation ofthe drill steel 1 4, the operator holding on the auxiliary handle C, maysimply turn and hold the sleeve valve 54 into engage-.-

tive to the port 3| located vis-a-vi's that of the port 32, the motivefluid from the; throttle valve 20 will be free to flow across the port3|, thus causing asuction or partial vacuum in the actuatin'g chamber38, causing the'clutch element to be shifted and maintained-in its otherposition,

not shown, In this last position of the clutch element, therotationmechanism is inadeto be nopera i rac nditi n w i h. i st on asthe sleeve valve 64 i ositioned t a munication betweenthe radial ports Hand 1.2 When 5 it is desired .w. [again render the. rotation mechanismeffective, thesleeve valve Mmay be rotatedin the position shown inFigure 2; During "normal operation of I the tool; the fee mechanismoperatesaby rnotive fluid admitted from-the throttle valve 20 throughports 52-; and 54ptube 52, annular groove #28; port 49- and centralbore58,, for acting-onthepiston 44- and the pointed end 43 of thepiston-tube 43 1estson' the ground, the motive fluid thus admitted into.the

feed cylinder will effect-upward orfeeding mo'- tion of the drillingmotor at 'a' predetermined Since the.

rate of speed. During this normal feeding operation, the motive fluid isalso admitted from the port 54 into the auxiliary handle bore 16 throughthe port 55, groove 18 and radial ports 11. With the valve 85 closed;the pressure fluid admitted into the auxiliary handle bore 16 willsimply remain therein without affecting the operation of the feedingmechanism. When it is desired to reduce the speed at which the drillingmotor is fed to the work, the operator may open the valve 85 by pressingthe push-button 81 inwardly. In this instance, some of the motive fluidfrom the port 54 will be free to exhaust from the bore 16 through theports 82, groove 83 and vent 84, thereby reducing the amount of motivefluid supplied to the feeding mechanism and consequently reducing therate of speed at which the drilling motor is fed to the work. The extentof reduction of feeding speed is controlled by the more or less completeopening of the valve 85. The size of the different ports as Well as thesize of the valve proper, are calculated to enable collapse of thefeeding mechanism upon full opening of the valve 85.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the stoperdrill is provided with an auxiliary handle C which extends transverselyof the drilling motor, with its free ends projecting from the motor inopposite directions, one end being formed by the stem 56 andaccommodating the feed control valve or push button 81, while the otherend is formed by the stem 63 on which is rotatably mounted the rotationcontrol sleeve valve 64.

I claim:

1. In a rock drill, the combination with a drilling motor having acylinder and a piston reciprocable therein and capable of rotation, of arotation mechanism for selectively effecting such rotation including aclutch element slidable into and out of rotation producing position, ofa fluid actuated feed mechanism for said drilling motor, means includingports for admitting and exhausting pressure fluid to and from saidclutch element for effecting its slidable movement, means includingports admitting operating fluid to said feed mechanism and exhaustingfluid therefrom for reducing its feeding speed, a boss extendingtransversely of the cylinder of said drilling motor, and means carriedby said boss and protruding from the ends thereof to form an auxiliaryhandle for the rock drill, said handle including in one end thereof arotatable sleeve valve having a groove formed on its inner sur-.

face, spring means for maintaining said valve in one position oranother, a plurality of spaced radial ports in said handle adapted tocommunicate with one another through said groove upon the rotation ofsaid sleeve for controlling exhaust of pressure fluid from said clutchelement and a slidable valve in the other end of said handle forcontrolling exhaust of operating fluid from said feed mechanism.

2. In a rock drill, the combination with a drilling motor having acylinder and a piston reciprocable therein and capable of rotation, of arotation mechanism for selectively efiecting such rotation including aclutch element slidable into and out of rotation producing position, ofa fluid actuated feed mechanism for said drilling motor, means includingports for admitting and exhausting pressure fluid to and from saidclutch element for effecting its slidable movement, means includingports admitting operating fluid to said feed mechanism and exhaustingfluid therefrom for reducing its feeding speed, a handle secured to saidcylinder adapted to be grasped by the operator for normally holding therock drill to the work, an auxiliary handle extending transversely ofsaid cylinder, and means in said last handle including a rotatablesleeve valve having a groove formed on its inner surface, springmeans-for maintaining said valve in one position or another, a pluralityof spaced ra'dial ports in said handle adapted to communicate with oneanother through said groove upon the rotation of said sleeve forcontrolling exhaust of pressure fluid from said clutch element and aspring actuated reciprocating valve in one end of said last handle forcontrolling exhaust of operating fluid from said feed mechanism.

THEODORE A. SCHMIDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,585,641 Bayles et a1. May 25,1926 1,585,821 Bayles May 25, 1926 2,129,566 Curtis Sept. 6, 1938

